Bentley creates fastest ever Continental

New Black Editions add cosmetic upgrades to both coupe and convertible

The world of premium luxury seems to have no ceiling when it comes to extravagance or performance and you only have to look as far as the latest Bentley Continental GT Speed to affirm that.

The latest Continental GT Speed takes up the mantle as the fastest production Bentley ever, with a sprint to 100 km/h taking 4.1 seconds and a top speed in excess of 330 km/h, and a new Black Edition with cosmetic upgrades, coordinated inside and out.

Increases in power and torque are received courtesy of Bentley’s iconic 12-cylinder engine, the 6.0-litre twin-turbo W-12 that now produces 633 hp (an improvement of 1.1%), with torque up to 620 lb-ft (an improvement of 3%) delivered in a plateau from 2000 to 5000 rpm.

The other news is the introduction of the Continental GT Speed Black Edition, which blackens out the brightware — a high-gloss black finish on window trim, lamp bezels and even wheels — on both coupes and convertibles. The package also supplies show-through brake callipers that can be specified in black or red, and contrasting colours (Hallmark, Beluga, St. James’ Red and Cyber Yellow) on the front splitter, rear diffuser and side mirrors and skirts.

“We have developed the GT Speed Black Edition to meet demand from customers for a model in the Continental line that offers both increased sporting capabilities and instantly recognisable styling cues,” says Paul Jones, Product Line Director for Continental GT. “The Black Edition has a subtle but purposeful look that is backed up by exceptional performance.”

The Black Edition interior features carbonfibre facings on the instrument panel and consoles, with the opportunity to match the exterior colour splits with borders for the seats and centre console (available in Porpoise, Beluga, Pillar Box Red and Cyber Yellow). The leather surfaces are done up in the traditional Mulliner GT Design diamond quilt, with contrasting stitching in the colours mentioned above.

Bentley likes to consider its design craftsmanship equal to that of fine furniture, with tolerances to rival the creation of fine jewellery or time pieces.

Cars are handcrafted at the factory in Crewe, England over the course of 110 hours (engines are assembled separately in 10.5 hours by a crew of 30). They can be ordered now, with deliveries slated for summer 2016.